Drakenstein’s local radio station, KC 107.7 FM, last week launched an inspiring on-air initiative aimed at amplifying the often-untold stories of indigenous groups and their lived experiences.
The project will stretch over a period of seven months and see the production of eight stories set to be broadcast on various radio stations across South Africa.
The launch of the project, entitled Sida Dommi, a Khoi phrase for “Our Voice”, took place on Thursday (7 August) and was attended by Khoi elders, cultural leaders, artists and community members at the KC 107.7 FM studios in Breda Street, Paarl.
“Essentially we want to give a voice to our indigenous Khoi people in the greater Paarl Valley.
“Originally, Paarl was home to the Cocoqua Khoi First Nation.
“This was one of the Khoi groups still dwelling in the area, stripped of their land and heritage,” said project leader Denver Toroga, who hoped the stories would reach young people.
“We often find that a lot of young people in our communities are struggling with their identity. There is a deeply-rooted longing for their place in society.
“We see this on Africa Day, Heritage Day and International Mother Language Day. Whom do we dress as? What do we dress as?”
One of KC 107.7’s co-founders Dr Harlan Cloete said this project aims to tackle this identity crisis head-on “so our people know and understand our heritage”.
“At the end of this project we want to produce eight stories our communities can be proud of. Now, more than ever before, there is a national debate around the heritage and identity of so-called coloured people.
“I personally tend to stay away from nationalism. All people are my people. We welcomed it with open arms when Denver approached us with this project.”
The project seeks to further address the lack of Khoikhoi representation in the South African media, build radio-production capacity within Khoikhoi communities and facilitate consciousness-raising and healing through storytelling, language revival and cultural practices.
Despite being the indigenous people of the region Khoi communities’ stories remain structurally excluded from mainstream media and civic platforms.
The project will receive assistance from mainstream radio stations, such as RSG, to train at least 20 community members in broadcasting and the use of radio equipment and storytelling.
